Cork ace sees specialist

A visit to a specialist at Cork’s University Hospital today will determine the extent of the hand injury sustained by John Gardiner during training with the Cork U21s last Friday night.

Initially, it was feared that the Na Piarsaigh star had no chance of being available for the Munster final against Waterford on June 27, but he was more optimistic this morning.

“I really won’t know until I visit this specialist today but I am still holding out hope that I will be all right.

“The injury is a broken bone above the knuckle in my right hand and I am in plaster at the moment.

"That is a precautionary measure but I should be much wiser about the injury after visiting the hospital’."

Gardiner’s absence for the showdown with Waterford would be a huge blow.

He is a key member of the team as illustrated in the semi-final victory over Limerick.

In that game he played a starring role in the second half when he switched into a wing back slot in a direct swap with midfielder Tom Kenny.

It was an astute move by the Cork management team and it led to a substantial rise in the performance of both players.

If he was ruled out of the final plans it would considerably reduce the options for Donal O’Grady and it would start a guessing game as to who might replace him.

One option would be to bring in Paul Tierney as a direct replacement at midfield. Another would be to bring Jerry O’Connor out from the half-forward line and find a replacement for him there.

Meanwhile, Pat Mulcahy has had the plaster removed from his wrist which was broken in a car accident but he is still at least a month away from returning to the fray. He is currently receiving physiotherapy.

The venue for the Munster hurling final has not been decided yet. The likelihood, however, is that it will be in its natural home in Thurles.

Cork have been marginally installed as favourites for that game with

Cashman’s Bookmakers on Maylor Street. They are on offer at 10/11 while Waterford are available at 11/10. The draw is at 8/1.